Friday, August 13, 2010

MAGDALENA -- Magdalena has finally named a new football coach, and he is a familiar face to most all Socorro County sports fans.Manny Marquez, who has coached Little League football in Socorro for years, accepted the position Wednesday after meeting with Magdalena athletic director Sam Olney and superintendent Mike Chambers.Marquez was scheduled to visit with the kids Wednesday afternoon and have his first full-scale workout with the Steers on Thursday at the school.“I worked with kids for 25 years or more in the Little League in Socorro,” Marquez said minutes after accepting the job. “I am very excited. And I feel I can teach the kids fundamentals.”Olney thinks it’s a great fit.“He wants to do it,” Olney said. “He has the experience and everybody knows him. He knows football and he is good with the kids. We are very excited to have Manny on board.”Marquez, who had teamed with George Funkhouser for years in calling Socorro games on the radio, said he started thinking about coaching in Magdalena only recently.“I read about it in the newspaper,” Marquez said. “I am going to do the best I can for Magdalena and maybe we can win a couple of games.”Chambers said 22 players have signed up for football and they have another 20 in the middle school program.“I know that was a problem in that people were talking about we didn’t have enough kids,” Chambers said. “That’s not going to be a problem. And I am very happy to have Manny as a coach.”Marquez says he knows there is a lot of work ahead. All the other teams around the state began practice officially on Aug. 9.“We are behind so I am going to get in as many practices as possible,” Marquez said. “I am going to keep it simple and teach the kids fundamentals.”As far as assistants, Marquez, who resigned from the Socorro Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees a couple of months ago, said last year’s assistant Monty Bain will help out, but he also will be looking for others to help.“I need people to help win some games,” Marquez said.The Steers had been looking for a coach for close to six months after Dave Marquez left for Belen.Magdalena had trouble finding a coach because the school had just two openings for teachers in special education and language arts, Chambers said.“Neither of those are ones that would have lent to be coaches,” Chambers said. “Usually, they teach physical education or something like that.”Olney and Chambers attended a coaches clinic in Albuquerque recently and they found out other schools are having trouble filling vacancies as well. “Even larger school districts were still looking for coaches,” Chambers said. “I don’t know if they were looking for head coaches but a lot of them were looking for assistants.“It’s really a combination of things. The economic situation has cut back in a lot of areas and there is the changing landscape of athletics. There are not a lot of people out there who want little pay and big headaches. It takes a certain individual.”Magdalena also recently moved up to 2A and 11-man football. The Steers had been competing in Single-A, 8-man football.Chambers said the school made the jump for a number of reasons.“Basically, we did it for the other sports but we also had the numbers for football,” Chambers said. “There just were not that many eight-man teams still playing and in the next year or two, there probably will be even fewer teams. From that perspective, we decided to bite the bullet and make the move.” Chambers then was asked if there was any talk of dropping football this year.“There was serious talk from a standpoint of not wanting to put the school or the district in an uncomfortable situation,” Chambers said. “But we were not pursuing that avenue. We had worked hard to get the program back. If you cut the sport for a year, it is so hard to get it back. That was absolutely the last resort for me if we could not find anybody.”

SOCORRO – The cannon at Isidro Baca Memorial Park will not leave Socorro County.That was the resolution passed by the Socorro County Commission Tuesday night after a number of veterans showed up to make their feelings known about the cannon.There was talk the cannon might be given to a museum in California.But the cannon has special significance for veterans and others who are passionate about those who served our country.“I have had more calls about this than anything,” said commissioner R.J. Griego, whose father-in-law survived the Bataan Death March. “People are as passionate about this cannon as am I. “My father spent three years in a prison camp and I don’t think we should dispose of it. It belongs to the City and County of Socorro.”Twelve cannons were given out to commemorate those who served in World War II and Socorro received one of the cannons back in the late 1940s.County manager Delilah Walsh asked the commission for guidance regarding the cannon because the city and county are about to renovate Isidro Baca Memorial Park.Walsh and others were to meet with the architect to talk about final plans for the park on Wednesday.”Now is the time to modify plans if we want to keep the cannon in the park,” Walsh said. “A decision has to be made tonight.”And the veterans were there to make sure the cannon would stay put.“I’ve had three offers from different people who are willing to store the cannon,” Griego said. “They said they will tie themselves to the cannon if it is decided that we move the cannon out of state.”Veteran Bob Hughes said, “I’m all for keeping the utility piece. It can be refurbished at little or not cost.”The committee decided on Wednesday that the cannon would be moved to Sonny Baca’s business for safekeeping while work is done to renovate the park. Baca said at the meeting Tuesday night that he would transport and house the cannon free of charge. In addition, work will be done to restore the cannon as well. Baca said, “That gun is a memorial to those who served and you can’t move it. We lost 15 percent of our people. The cannon is there to honor them.”Carlos Lopopolo said, “The list of veterans who lost their lives in New Mexico is 59 pages long and I am guessing everybody knows or is related to someone who died in the Bataan Death March.”Charles Mandeville said, “We need to make an effort to let people in Socorro know who these people are. If you do move it, I think Clark Field would be a good place.”Resident Donna Harris then got up and said, “I heard a rumor that someone on the Socorro County Commission called it an eyesore.”Commission chair Rosie Tripp quickly responded, “I don’t think anybody on the commission said that.”Tripp then urged the veterans in attendance to be a part of the committee that will determine the cannon’s status.“As passionate as all of you are, I hope you all do get involved,” she said.

Picture: The World War II era anti-aircraft gun used by the 200th/515th Coast Artillery Regiment in the Philippines is set to be cleaned up and relocated to another area of the park as part of the overall park renovation. The cannon has been mounted in its familiar location near the plaza for over 50 years. Pictured (from left): cannon committee member Sonny Baca and County Commissioner R.J. Griego.

MAGDALENA – A Magdalena man has been arrested on four felony charges following arson investigations by Marshal Larry Cearley and Deputy Marshal Terry Flannigan.A criminal complaint was filed in Magistrate Court Thursday, Aug. 5 on Junior L. Lamance, 49, for negligent arson that destroyed property totaling $3,925.Marshal Larry Cearley said a distinctive baseball cap and shoe prints led investigators to Lamance, who is being held in a $60,000 cash or surety bond.According to the criminal complaint, the first fire Lamance allegedly started was at about 5:55 p.m. on July 5 next to the historic stock pens. The fire consumed a large amount of railroad ties and lumber piled by the stock pens, and about 85 feet from a gasoline bulk storage area. Value of the ties and lumber was estimated at $600. Footprints impressions at the scene were photographed.On July 13 at about 9:17 p.m. the Magdalena Marshal’s office responded to assist the Magdalena Fire Department in putting out a fire involving railroad ties, two inch lumber, one inch lumber and wood posts. Footprint impressions were located next to the fire and pointed to point of origin indicating the defendant was at the fire location just prior to the fire department arriving. The amount of loss is estimated about $725. Footprint impressions matched those at the previous fire.The third fire was reported on July 15 at about 2 p.m. involving grass, brush and two vehicles that had been parked there for 10 years or more. Footprint impressions entering and leaving the fire were identical to impressions at the two previous fires. Marshal Cearley tracked the suspect’s footprints from the fire at two different points. The footprints were lost when they entered the Highway 60 right-of-way where gravel and pavement was present. Photographs were taken of these impressions which matched the shoes photographed by Deputy Marshal Terry Flannigan on July 19 in which Lamance was holding his shoes. At that time Lamance stated he walked in the area on the day of the fire. The amount of damage is estimated about $1,600.The fourth fire was on August 3 at about 11:35 p.m. The Marshal’s office responded to assist the Magdalena Fire Department on a cab-over camper fire located on a residential property owned by Donna Dillon of Highland, Calif.“The fire consumed the camper with a total loss estimated about $1,000. Footprint impressions were located at the scene indicating a match to the shoes worn by Lamance,” the affidavit for arrest stated. “These tracks were followed to the edge of an arroyo where the suspect fell off a 12 foot ledge landing on a wire fence, and losing his ball cap with an image of a bull and rider with a RODEO logo on the brim.” The cap matched the one in the photograph of Lamance taken by Flannigan on July 19.Plaster cast impressions of shoeprints were taken at the scene to identify Lamance.Cearley said New Mexico Insurance Fraud Bureau Chief Special Agent Leo Montano and Special Agent Neil Fishback, of the Public Regulation Commission In-surance Fraud Bureau assisted in the interview process of Lamance.

SOCORRO – Isidro Baca, the namesake of the city park in front of the Socorro County Courthouse, died on Aug. 21, 1967, while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.Isidro was 19 years old and in Vietnam for only six months when his jeep was ambushed near the DMZ in Quang Tri Province.Some of Isidro’s experiences in Vietnam came alive for his sister, Ann Baca of Socorro, last week, Aug. 3-8, at a reunion of the 3rd Battalion/3rd Marines in Arlington, Virginia.She said she has kept in touch with members of Isidro’s company over the years through the website myfamily.com.“It was so nice to meet the Marines I’ve emailed for so long,” Baca said. “They treated me like family and talked about how they knew Isidro.”During her stay in and around the Washington, D.C. area, Baca visited the Marine Museum and the Vietnam Memorial, among other places.Baca got a little closer to finding closure to Isidro’s passing by meeting his fellow members of Mike Company.“One of the most meaningful things was seeing a picture of Isidro’s jeep,” she said. “They actually had photographs of the three jeeps that were ambushed that day. You could see bullet holes in the windshields, and the tires flattened out.”Baca said she was able to meet and speak with the Corpsman who attended to Isidro after the ambush.“He told me Isidro died instantly. Altogether five were killed in the attack,” she said. “The ambush happened so fast. The three jeeps were ambushed on a muddy road one half mile from his unit’s compound in Ca Lu. He was actually on his way back from a week’s R and R in Formosa.”The photographs helped her visualize conditions of the surrounding area where he was stationed.“The road was so muddy, and the jungle around it was so dense,” Baca said. “They used Agent Orange to clear the sides of the road where the Viet Cong would shoot from. I was told the soldiers were told to cover themselves when the Agent Orange was dropped. But it was still in the air after they were told it was OK. Back then they didn’t know it would make them sick.”Baca also met one of Isidro’s buddies from Mike Company.“His name was Bobby Pigg, from Tennessee,” she said. “He told me he and Isidro became best friends and talked about what they would do after getting out of the Marines.”She also met the men who drove the “dusters.”“The dusters were tanks that would follow along with the Marines. They would kick up so much dust when they fired their guns they were called dusters,” Baca said.“To meet all these people from Isidro’s past was incredible,” she said. “It was such an honor and all of them were very nice.”Isidro Baca is one of the six names on the Memorial in the park. Other Socorroans killed in Vietnam were Willie B. Lee, John V. Tafoya, Florentino Tafoya Jr., George Eloy Tafoya and Donald R. Alexander.According to its website, the 3rd Battalion/3rd Marines has been deployed to Afghanistan.

Top picture: A commemorative coin given to Ann Baca.

Bottom picture: Ann Baca surrounded by members of Mike Company of the 3rd Battalion/3rd Marines at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.

The Socorro Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management is offering personal use fuelwood permits for BLM-administered lands near Pelona Mountain, Pie Town and Blue Topaz Ranch in Catron County, New Mexico, and near the Montosa Ranch in Socorro County, New Mexico, from August 9 to December 31, 2010.Dead and downed wood may be harvested in the Pelona fuelwood area located near Coyote Peak, the Pie Town WUI fuelwood area located immediately east and south of Pie Town, the San Ignacio fuelwood area located south and east of the Blue Topaz Ranch subdivision, and/or the Wolf Wells fuelwood area located 12 miles west of Magdalena. Access in the fuelwood areas is limited to existing roads to help minimize resource damage.A personal use fuelwood permit is required and may be purchased at the BLM’s Socorro Field Office at 901 South Highway 85 (California Street) in Socorro, NM. Permits cost $12.00 per cord with a four cord limit per individual. All wood permits are issued for personal use only and are non-refundable, non-transferable, not for resale, and valid for 30 days after issuance. (Severe fire or weather conditions could affect the permit expiration date.) Cutting of standing live or dead trees is not allowed in any of the designated fuelwood areas, and the resale of fuelwood collected from these personal use fuelwood areas is also prohibited.Maps, directions to the fuelwood areas, and further instructions will be issued along with the fuelwood permits at the Socorro Field Office. Anyone with questions can visit the Socorro Field Office or call 575-835-0412.

SOCORRO - Anthony Padilla, 37, of Socorro, was arrested Saturday, Aug. 7 in connection with a break-in at the pharmacy in Smith’s Supermar-ket.Padilla, who had been released from jail after making bail for a robbery at Penner and Associates accounting business, was arraigned Monday on two burglary counts and one charge of larceny. Police responded to the burglary call at 1:08 a.m. after a Smith’s employee had reported that a man was locked in the pharmacy.Officer Dennis Sedillo, along with two other officers, recognized the subject behind the pharmacy counter as Anthony Padilla.According to the criminal complaint, Sedillo asked Padilla to come out to the front.“At this time [Padilla] sat down behind the counter,” the complaint said.Two of the officers then went under the locked gate and were able to handcuff Padilla, who had crawled over the counter. Padilla was arrested and incarcerated at the Socorro County Detention Center.In the meantime, officers inspected the shipping and receiving area of the store and found a back door slightly open. The store manager was contacted and played the security videos for the officers.The video showed Padilla coming into the store and taking two 30 packs of beer back out through the open door, the complaint said.Then Padilla was seen crawling under the closed pharmacy gate and going over the counter.Officers found the beer in the back, as well as three syringes, a tube of super glue, and a red bandana on a chair next to the closed pharmacy gate.Anthony Padilla is being held in the Socorro County Detention Center in lieu of a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

Logan Anson Winn, 22, passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at his home in Socorro, NM, surrounded by his family and friends.Logan was born on November 4, 1987 to Kelly McLain and Robert Winn in Sterling, IL.He is survived by his loving mother, Kelly McLain of Socorro; his loving father, Robert Winn and wife, Sonia of Pueblo, CO; his devoted brother, Samuel Winn of Socorro; his loving grandparents, Phil and Patti McLain also of Socorro; and Robert Winn of Richmond, VA; his uncles, Jim McLain and wife, Anna; Walter McLain and wife Barbara; and Andy Winn; Logan is also survived by several cousins, many devoted friends, and a very dear friend, Xavier Vega.Logan was a resident of Socorro since 2002 and a Socorro High School Graduate, Class of 2007. He was a NM State College student. Logan was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and loved Skateboarding to the fullest. He was an Enthusiastic Video gamer. He was diagnosed with Leukemia in September of 2009. Logan was a wonderful friend and “Wing Man” to all who knew him.He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Shirley McLain; and Martha Winn; and his Step-Father, Craig Butler.A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at New Mexico Tech, Macey Center grounds, “Turtle Bay” with Pastor Bob Farmer officiating. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions be made to “The Logan Winn Fund” at Bank of America, 201 Plaza St. Socorro, NM 87801. (575)835-1569.Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530

Adelina (Apodaca) Lopez passed away Thursday, August 5, 2010 in Socorro, NM.She was born on March 7, 1923 in Lamar, CO to Gregorio and Rita Apodaca. Adelina married her loving husband, Damacio Lopez on January 19, 1940.He preceded her in death after 53 years of marriage. He passed away on August 19, 1993. Adelina was also preceded in death by her beloved son, Ramon Anthony Lopez; and her brother, Desi Apodaca. She is survived by her five sons, Fred Lopez, and wife Diane of Albuquerque, NM; Damacio Lopez of Socorro; Joe Lopez of Socorro; Nick Lopez of Socorro; and Richard Lopez of Socorro; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; her sisters, Mary Jane Garcia and husband, Toby; and Isabel Mendes and husband Oscar; and many relatives, friends, nieces and nephews.A Memorial Rosary was recited Wednesday at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro followed by a Mass of Resurrection with Father Andy Pavlak as Celebrant.Interment will take place in Lamar, CO at a later date. Honorary Pallbearers were Stan Lopez, Fred Lopez Jr., Desi Lopez, and Gregorio Lopez. Following the Mass, a reception with the family will be held in San Miguel Parish Hall.Mother, we love you and miss you and know that you are with Dad, Ramon, and Desi, and that we will see you again someday. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530.

Iva Lorraine (Moffett) Lewis passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2010 in Socorro, NM. She was born May 9, 1933 in Duncan, AZ.The first child and only daughter of Horace Ammon Moffett and Beatrice Johnson Moffett, both preceded her in death. She was sealed for the time and eternity in St. George, UT on June 27, 1950 to Edward Lynn Lewis who also has preceded her.She is survived by three children: her son Michael (Cindy) Lewis of Farmington, NM; daughter Karen (Ben) File of Overton, NV; and son Layne (Sheila) Lewis of Socorro, NM. She has eleven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. One grandson and one granddaughter have also preceded her in death. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where services were held Monday in Socorro.Interment with her will be at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Pallbearers will be: Layne Lewis, Michael Lewis, Geoffery Lewis, and Brandon Lewis.Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530.

SOCORRO -- Storms the past two weeks have forced the county emergency management team to ask for help.On Tuesday, County fire marshal Fred Hollis asked the county commissioners to declare an emergency after flooding affected the La Joya area, Bosquecito Road, roads in Hop Canyon, Routes 127 and 131. “I don’t know how much the state will give us the damage is extensive,” Hollis said. The commissioners unanimously approved a resolution, making a disaster declaration for the county, which suffered damage caused by heavy rains and flash flooding from July 21 to Aug. 5.Hollis said it was not just one storm that did the damage.“Cumulatively, it was pretty bad,” Hollis said. “We’ve had three or four storms between July 21 and the other day on August 4.“We have to tell the state we have used up our resources and we are asking for help. It’s overwhelming us now.”Magdalena mayor Sandy Julian paid a visit to the commission and brought along two members of the newly formed youth council.They inquired about the availability of the old senior center building on Spruce Street as a possible venue for the youth council.Magdalena sophomore Martin Harris addressed the commission, telling the group what the council would use the building for.“This is something the kids in Magdalena need,” Harris said. “I believe by working in a youth group and with the help of the Village Council, we would be better citizens.”Commissioner R.J. Griego said, “You are role models for your school and village and I am sure the mayor is proud of you, as is the commission.”Although the commission appreciated the youths’ efforts and it wanted to help, bureaucracy always seems to get in the way.County attorney Adren Nance said an anti-donation clause prohibits the commission for giving the council the building. He suggested getting help from the school or the council.Julian then said, “I don’t think we can afford to buy anything.”Commission chair Rosie Tripp said, “You would not be buying it. You would be responsible for upkeep and having somebody over see the youth. You’re just a sponsoring agent.”Julian replied that “I will have to talk to the board and see what they think about being a sponsor. I don’t want to say yes and have them say no. I really can’t say yes or no at this time.”County manager Deliah Walsh said, “The cause is wonderful. The county can not afford to provide utilities and maintenance. We are all in the same budget situation.”Julian said the matter would be discussed at the next Village Council meeting on Aug. 23.Commissioner Philip Anaya suggested “we should send a maintenance group up there and get it cleaned up.”

I look around my hometown as I move down California Street and get a little melancholy when I see those old familiar businesses that were such a big part of Socorro, no longer open to our public. The North and South Chevrons were kind of home away from home places to hang out at and have a cup of Joe or a Soda and catch up with neighbors and friends. They just sat there like old buddies for decades inviting us in every day to gas up and fill up on the local Metote. Leo and Tony Montoya were a huge part of the feeling everyone had for those two stations for a very long time, then their extended families took them over for some time and then all in one fell swoop (like so many things happen these days) Robert’s Oil shut them down, never to be what they were or what they stood for in our little town ever again. How cool was it to be able to gas up and go inside and rib your old friends and act the fool? Sad it’s gone.And life moves on. Thanks to the Montoya and Martinez Families for the years of friendship and giving all of us a place to be on a cold morning before work or a nice summer afternoon before we went home from work. The Christmas Tree is closed now too. I don’t know why, but it seems such a shame. I enjoyed walking in to visit the nice ladies who always knew just what kind of Balloon Bouquet I needed and did beautiful work and delivered right away. It was a quaint little business with a good small town feel. I wish the owners luck in their new endeavors. Tripp Jewelers was always a joy to visit because Mr. and Mrs. Tripp Senior and Karen were always right there to help you with anything you needed. Mrs. Tripp’s elegance and knowledge of fine jewelry of every kind and Mr. Tripp’s knowledge of fine watches and even the cheap kind I wear was something to behold. And what can I say about Karen Tripp? Well, I’ve never met a sweeter lady who was always smiling and genuinely cared about me and my family and how we were all getting along. She battled some physical problems but I never saw her show anything but concern for others. The two Don’s – Sr. and Jr. are my friends and they, along with Rosie care just as much about Socorro and it’s people as the last great generation did. I see Mrs. Tripp and Karen from time to time at Good Sam and they are both still local treasures and the sweetest ladies you’d ever want to meet. I miss that fancy little Jewelry store and those fancy wonderful people who made it so much more than just a building.Chicken! Who doesn’t love Fried Chicken. I remember when Jerry Gum brought KFC to Socorro and opened at the Gabaldon Shopping Center. He was always a soft spoken fellow, but a good friend to Socorro from the start. He married Dana and the rest, as they say, is history. KFC was probably the first big franchise other than McDonald’s in Socorro. Man that chicken was good. Jerry and Dana built a bigger drive-up place on Bullock and California down the road a piece and opened a genuine big league KFC and did a wonderful job of building customers and even more friends throughout the years. They have been my friends for a very long time. I like that I can say that. They’ve got two great kids too, Keith and Melissa. The KFC’s chicken has been plucked (for now) but you can still visit with the Gum Family at the New Western Mercantile just down and across the street from the old KFC building now being rented by Robeltaco’s new restaurant.Still breaks my heart every time I pass the Vagabond Restaurant building. Was that just the coolest place to eat and have fun or what? Gin and Tony Jue and their wonderful families brought some class to cuisine in Socorro many years ago and I never thought I would ever see it close. I still crave the special green chili Chinese plate that Mr. Jue invented for his special customers. Man alive – talk about great grub! And what neat people to have picked Socorro to move to and live. I must admit they had some really beautiful daughters too. Hey, I was in school and they were beautiful! What?I have been driving by the Socorro Office Supply every day waiting for my lifelong friends to be there. He hasn’t been, and neither has his lovely wife Sonya. I know Blake lost his mother recently and I’m hoping that is the reason he hasn’t been there for awhile.Maybe he’s just getting things in order? He’s worked so very hard all of his life. I know, I worked for him and beside him at Shirley’s Drive In when he took over the very tough job of managing probably the most popular business ever in Socorro. He has worked very hard at Socorro Office Supply since he bought it many years ago. I hope he comes back to the Plaza. He is part of what the Plaza is. If not, I wish him and Sonya and their children nothing but happiness, health and lots of laughter.Well, time continues to sneak past us and we all have fabulous memories of special moments and people who shared all of those times in businesses past. What do we do when another closes or is replaced? We should feel thankful and remember something an old friend or business owner said that cracked you up and made you feel special for having the opportunity to live your life in such a special place with such special people.The buildings and tenants might be gone, but the friendships and endearing memories still linger and bring joy to us when we decide to re-visit them in thought from time to time. We’ll talk about other businesses and people who have made Socorro the neatest place to live, again in the near future. Until then, Shop Socorro every chance you have, and make some new memories with some really cool business owners – who care about you too!

My grandpa, Poppy, was John Henry Alden and my mom’s maiden name was Priscilla Alden. In the northeast where I was born, this is a well known family, a Mayflower family. From that family came a lot of well known folk. The John, John Q. and Samuel Adams family, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Longfellow, Washington Irving and even Calvin Coolidge among them. There is not much that is unique about being an Alden and you probably have met more then one, if you are not one yourself. The first three or four generations averaged 10 kids each, now that the 13th generation is growing up, it is quite a crowd.A pretty “conservative” lot all and all and my Poppy was no exception. Here I am a crazy liberal and he is still my favorite mentor and roll model.The first teaching about being an Alden was: don’t talk about it. That’s not easy in a family where saying what you think bluntly is the norm. However there have been many decades when any relationship to the Mayflower was socially looked down on. A condition earned from many decades of Mayflower snobbery. Not to bring grief to ourselves and with some feeling that others were not as lucky as we, we were to keep quiet.It was an awkward beginning for me. Always curious, always questioning, I started driving most people crazy right away. Poppy was the adult who could handle me. I was his side kick whenever possible. This brought relief to many others in the family.Most Aldens have been farmers, hard working tillers of the earth. Some have built ships, towns, politics and a number like to write, but many were farmers. It was these farmers that President John Adams was most proud of and so am I. Poppy was a farmer and an animal breeder. Together we traveled from farm to farm from the Catskills of NY to the Massachusetts border.They say what you survive makes you stronger. Most of us have survived enough to make us quite strong. Difficulty in life is pretty democratic even among the rich and famous, and the “comfortable” middle class. Life gave me some of that strength but Poppy gave me a foundation.He made “family values” real, and really valuable. Freedom is earned with the ability to take responsibility. If you are not honest you do not truly exist. If you are not fair, you are not honest. If you don’t treat your land and animals well, you are nothing. Any man or woman who works hard has great value. Excuses are weakness. Blaming is weakness. Pointing fingers at groups of people is weakness.Cooperation and sharing is key to success. If you have nothing to share, you have nothing. What value a person has is based on what they do, how they live; and it is more important then skin color or ethnic-national history. Poppy wasn’t perfect. Born in 1900 he had all the bias of white men of his age. However, “being fair, being honest,” he had an ever growing list of exceptions to his bias.My Dad re-enlisted in the Air Force and we spent much of the early fifties in Texas, Florida and Georgia. Mom didn’t want me to attend base schools, she was a “civilian” and wanted it that way. While in Florida I became acquainted with the names and the taunting a “Yankee” could get. “Sticks and stones can break your bones but words will never hurt me.” Or so my Mom said.Georgia provided the sticks and stones. Shunned as a Yankee, the endless, lonely recesses I spent watching battles between black and red ants, big ants and very small ants. Red ants and black ants killed each other equally well; but the small ants out numbered the much larger ants and claimed victory.This was an all white school but not in an all white village. There was the other side of the tracks.One day, I rode my bike across the tracks and into the black tenant farming area. I missed farms and farm animals. There was a small black boy with a rooster. I stopped and asked if he wanted to play. He ran into his house. I figured it was that Yankee thing again. I started home. Passing a tobacco field, kids from my school started throwing stones and sticks. Eventually I fell from my bike and hit my head on a street sign. Unconscious, Dad’s wing man came by and picked me up. I did not forgive the state of Georgia for a very long time.Bigotry raises havoc; but never wins. We should be more concerned about who WE are then who THEY are. We are all a “THEM” to someone.

Checking out comments on various blog sites reminds one that time, no matter what the calendar says, no matter what we see in the mirror each morning or evening, often does not defeat or change deeply felt beliefs and attitudes….especially those built on fear, resentment, and irrational hatred. Such beliefs and attitudes are at the core of actions, individual and collective, like the recent law (SB 1070) established in Arizona which targets anyone who is, or appears to be, “other”; not a “legal” citizen, too shabbily dressed, too dark skinned. The law is a racist tool. Currently there is a court injunction against the enforcement of some of its more egregious aspects. But many, many comments, publicly and on the web give whole hearted endorsement to SB 1070’s discriminatory intent. Aug. 7 was the 80th anniversary of what would become the basis of a song “Time” magazine, in 1999, called the song of the century, and in 2010 the “The New Statesman” listed “Strange Fruit” as one of the “20 Top Political Songs”.On August 7, 1930 a white mob, using sledge hammers, broke into a jail in Marion, Indiana, beat two young black men, took them from the jail and lynched them. The men, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith, had been arrested the night before and charged with assaulting a white factory worker and his girl friend. Witnesses said the two had not assaulted anyone. But, it didn’t matter. Shipp and Smith were black, the alleged victims were white and it was 1930 in mid America. A photographer was on the scene that day, along with hundreds of other men, women and children. Lawrence Beitler’s photograph of the lynching, the two bloodied, hanging bodies surrounded by their executioners was cited as the inspiration for a poem, “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol, a Bronx schoolteacher. He published the poem in 1936 under the pen name, Lewis Allen. It reflects his horror at what was, at the time, a common and wide spread occurrence.It is not entirely clear just how the poem became a song. However, in 1939 Columbia records finally allowed Billie Holiday, the quintessential female blues singer, one session in which to record the song. It became her biggest selling song and a regular part of her live performances although, according to her accompanist, Bobby Tucker, she broke down every time she sang it. It goes like this:

Southern trees bear strange fruit,Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,Black body swinging in the Southern breeze,Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.Pastoral scene of the gallant South,The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh,Then the sudden smell of burning flesh!Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck, For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,Here is a strange and bitter crop.

Well, that was then. This is now. Now, in Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in the deserts along the US/Mexican border where desperate people are kept before being dumped back across the Mexican border, holding cells are packed full and kept at freezing temperatures, every now and then an “illegal” human being gets beat up a little, lights are often kept on 24/7 and songs called “migracorridos”…celebrating gruesome deaths in the desert, are played continuously at maximum volume.So far, the only testimony we have to these things are reports from people who have experienced them. So far, the immigration “issue” just gets worse. So far, state and federal governments, comprised of politicians, don’t have a clue as to how to come up with a humane and workable immigration policy. So far, that hard core of racism, fear and hatred of “the other”, defies time and change.

The task is to divide the Socorro Electric Cooperative’s 11,400-square mile coverage area into five equal districts.“It’s not as easy as you might think,” said Donald Wolberg, who headed the board of trustees’ survey committee. Wolberg was going to present his plan last month, but the meeting never got the past the pledge of allegiance because of disagreements over the Open Meetings Act and the presence of a camera recorder in the room.The co-op trustees took on the task because it wanted to save money. A professional survey company would have cost upwards of $200,000, general manager Polo Pineda said.The coverage area is bigger than nine states including Hawaii, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island and the District Columbia.“It’s about the size of Maryland,” Wolberg said. “Plus there is 3,500 miles of line and more than 40,000 poles.”There are approximately 10,000 members and districts have to be divided into five equal ones of 2,000 each.The plan calls for Socorro to be split into two districts. Wolberg said the tentative boundary would be Otero Road and School of Mines.Wolberg said District 1 would include northern Socorro County and a southern section of Valencia County. District 2 would be the northern part of Socorro up to San Acacia. District 3 would be southern Socorro and south. District 4 would include San Antonio, and also Magdalena and Alamo. District 5 would be everything west of Magdalena to the Arizona border.The plan takes into consideration adding 440 people to District 1, 1,285 to District 2 and 1,355 to District 4 while subtracting 2,175 from District 3 and 690 from District 5.Wolberg said the task was tough because the committee also consisting of trustees Leroy Anaya, Leo Cordova, Dave Wade, Jack Bruton and Paul Bustamante had other factors to consider.“What do we do with ranches that are owned by one person but have several meters on the property?” Wolberg said. “The same can be said for business owners, state entities, federal entities, city entities, Department of Defense entities. There may be a legal issue with members and media. Right now, it based on members.”Wolberg also said he is looking for more input from members.“This is just one scenario,” Wolberg said. “We are open to all suggestions from members. The membership also is going to have to vote on it.”The subject came up again at the July 28 meeting and trustee Charlie Wagner voiced his opposition, saying it violated Article 5, Section 2 of the co-op bylaws.“If we don’t obey the bylaws, it would subject us all to dismissal,” Wagner said.Wagner said the board has to appoint a survey committee of members who are not interested in running as a trustee so there would be no conflict of interest. “We should also consult with a consultant,” he said.Wolberg said, “This didn’t cost anybody anything.”Meanwhile, the maps of the redistricting plan have been hanging in an office at the co-op building for the past two months.

SOCORRO – Another judge has been recused and another judge has been reassigned in the Socorro Electric Cooperative’s lawsuit against unnamed member/owners, member Charlene West, the Mountain Mail, et. al.Last week, attorney Lee Deschamps, on behalf of client Charlie Wagner, recused William Sanchez. Two weeks ago, Deschamps, on behalf of West, recused Valencia County judge John W. Pope.In the meantime, Sandoval County judge George Eichwald has been assigned the case.The change of venue hearing for Aug. 10 at the Valencia County Courthouse in Los Lunas was postponed. Socorro attorneys Thomas A. Fitch and Polly Ann Tausch had filed a motion to request a change of venue and and Pope was to hear the case.No hearing has been scheduled.When asked if the hearing was still on, Fitch said, “I don’t know.”Deschamps, meanwhile, made an entries of appearance for West, Charlie and Charlene Wagner of Magdalena and Alvin Hickox of San Antonio.Socorro attorney John Gerbracht made a limited entry of appearance and made a motion to quash the service by publication.Co-op attorney Dennis Francish responded to Fitch’s and Tausch’s motion as well as Gerbracht with a motion of his own.In a six-page motion, Francish made his legal arguments concerning:1. This Court has proper personal jurisdiction over defendants.2. Venue is proper in Valencia County’s 13th Judicial District.3. Both process and service of process were proper.4. Defendants have not brought a proper claim for dismissal under Rule 1-0012(B)(6),In conclusion, Francish wrote that each of the defenses contained in the entry of special appearance must fail and requests the defendant file an answer within 10 days from the date of the denial of the defenses.Also, a special meeting of the trustees was called for Friday, Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m. The only item on the agenda was personnel matters, which would be talked about in executive session. Since the meeting will be held in executive session, it is unlikely the public will be allowed to attend.And in the co-op’s other lawsuit against West, William A. Sanchez of Valencia County has been assisgned as the new judge in the case.Last month, judges Matthew Reynolds, Edmund Kase and Kevin Sweazea were all recused.

Mountain Mail ReportsThe annual Socorro community yard sale will be held in conjunction with the Farmers’ Market in and around the Plaza from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21.Residents will be able to have space to sell their yard sale items for only $5.In addition to fresh local produce at the Farmers Market, there will be arts and crafts, and food vendors in the park, and entertainment. According to Tourism Director Deborah Dean the Community Yard Sale, sponsored by the City of Socorro, will include entertainment in the gazebo and plenty of treasures and bargains galore. Socorro businesses are also encouraged to open up their doors and actively participate by holding Sidewalk Sales throughout town.The city wide sale is a part of the Keep Socorro Beautiful Campaign to encourage locals to clean out their closets, garages, and yards before the end of the summer.“This is your opportunity to let the community know what you do, what services you provide, how people get involved with your group or organization and how one would become a volunteer,” Dean said. “If you would like to set up an informational booth representing your organization there are free booth spaces available. You provide your own table, chairs and handouts.”Set-up begins at 7 a.m. Food vendor fees are $25.There is no vendor fee for non-profit informational booths.Vendor forms available at the Socorro Heritage and Visitors center, 217 Fisher, or online at www.socorronm.gov. For more information call 835-8927

SOCORRO - A raid on a residence on Tafoya Lane resulted in the arrest of two Socorro men on four narcotics charges, three of them felonies. John Giles, 22, and Joel Martinez, 25, were arraigned Monday on one count each of trafficking cocaine, manufacturing crack cocaine, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia. Socorro Police Officer Rocky Fernandez said the raid was the result of a series of controlled buys from the suspects.According to the criminal complaint, Fernandez served a search warrant on the residence at about 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, along with other city police officers and Socorro County Sheriff deputies.“When no one answered the door after repeated knocks we opened the front door, announcing that we were the police and had a warrant to search the premises,” Fernandez said. “Joel Martinez and his cousin John Giles were in the kitchen eating a hotdog and were in the process of manufacturing crack cocaine.”He said the two men were so surprised at seeing the police come in they dropped a cocaine mixture on the kitchen floor, “along with a half-eaten hotdog.”“It was a mess,” Fernandez said.The cocaine was cleaned off the floor, and about one ounce was collected in a jar, Fernandez said.Evidence collected at the scene also included approximately one ounce of powdered cocaine, various baggies with cocaine residue, an electronic scale, a rolled up one dollar bill with cocaine residue, a cell phone with text messages indicative of cocaine transactions, and two handguns, one with the serial numbers filed off.An amount of powdered cocaine cut into a line ready for inhalation was also seized.Preliminary hearings in Magistrate Court for John Giles and Joel Martinez will be at 9 a.m. on August 18.They are each being held on $100,000 cash or surety bond.Man Faces Meth Charges Another suspected drug dealer was arrested Saturday, July 14 for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell. The case against Daniel Pacheco, 42, of Socorro - involving two narcotics felonies and one misdemeanor, including trafficking methamphetamine, possession of prescription medication and drug paraphernalia - was bound over to District Court July 22.According to the criminal complaint, Socorro Police Officer Rocky Fernandez received a tip that Pacheco was seen at a gas station on California Street with a methamphetamine pipe, which violated his conditions of release on a previous conviction.Fernandez and Sgt. Richard Lopez questioned Pacheco, and during a routine pat-down Lopez found a meth pipe with residue in Pacheco’s pocket. He was then arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.Continuing the pat-down, Fernandez found a baggie which contained 16 small foil bindles in another pocket.A bindle is a normal method for selling a single dosage of narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine.“I asked [him] what was in the baggie and he told me he did not know but had found the baggie on the ground,” Fernandez stated in the complaint. Pacheco was incarcerated at the Socorro County Detention center after processing at the Police Department.His case goes before a jury in District Court on Nov. 1.

Justin Stevenson of the USDA likens them to a four-legged fire ant.Feral hogs have been spotted in the San Antonio and Socorro area along the Rio Grande and in Stevenson’s eyes, they are public enemy number one.“They are very clever and very smart,” Stevenson said. “We have five traps out in the area. The density is low and it is going to take some time. It is almost a no-win situation. It’s almost impossible to totally eradicate the feral hog.”Despite the traps having been set, no hogs have taken the bait – yet.The Rio Grande Valley is the perfect place for the feral hog.There is a lot of food with plenty of corn fields and alfalfa fields in the valley There is a continuous water source. And the Bosque is so thick, there are plenty of places for the hogs to hide.Stevenson said most of the hogs are nocturnal.“It would not be uncommon for a farmer to wake up in the morning and have his 10-acre alfalfa field in ruins,” Stevenson said.But Stevenson also had a word of warning.He is telling hunters if they see a pack of eight or 10 hogs not to shoot at them. “They might get two or three, but the others will get away and become that much smarter,” Stevenson said. So what’s the best thing to do if you see a feral hog?Stevenson said try and take a photo of it and contact the USDA at 505 346-2640.Stevenson said somebody released the feral hog for hunting purposes.“We are guessing they were released somewhere between Escondida and San Antonio,” Stevenson said. “They like to migrate north and south up and down the river.”According to Stevenson, the hogs are a cross between the domesticated pig and a European breed. And with the ideal living conditions for the hogs, one can be assured they also will reproduce at an alarming rate, Stevenson said.As of now, Stevenson has no idea how many feral hogs are out there.“We are evaluating the situation and trying to get as many eyes and ears out there looking for them,” Stevenson said.

“Oh no!” I shrieked after surveying the damage that the latest storm had wrought to what was once my lawn.Hearing my cry Sylvia woke from her cat nap and ran over to ask, “What’s the matter, boss?”“Just look at that,” I complained. “The water rushed down the mountain again and washed away the diversion channel I made for it and now there’s silt all over everything. I don’t know if I’ll be able to dig another channel before the next big rain, which will probably be tonight.”“Wow!” exclaimed Sylvia after she’d taken in the full extent of the destruction.“Now who am I going to get on a Sunday to do the digging?”Sylvia was all sympathy. “Don’t you worry, boss. Gordo and I will do it. There’s no use you paying some outsider to dig when you can pay us.”“You and Gordo? Can you dig a diversion channel that long? It’s got to get the water over to the arroyo.”“Can we dig? Just watch us.” Sylvia put one paw to her mouth and whistled. Gordo came running up, bouncing with the joy of being wanted for once.Sylvia barked at Gordo, who mewed in understanding, before investigating the yard. “Where do you want the channel, boss?” she asked, tail wagging with excitement.“Right here,” I said, drawing a line with a stick in the silt covering the tufts of grass that now passed for a lawn.Gordo followed Sylvia and they were both digging, dirt and silt and broken wildflowers flying, when I went into the house to fortify myself with a cup of comforting tea.After a breakfast of oatmeal cookies and tea, I made several phone calls and settled down to the unpleasant task of paying bills.It must have been an hour or two later that I was occupied in taking a wee nap when Sylvia knocked at the door.“All done, boss,” she said when I opened it. “When do we get our money?”“After I’ve inspected the job,” I said, going outside with Sylvia. Gordo was proudly standing beside a humungous mysterious hole covering more than half of the yard.“Oh, no! Good heavens! Sylvia! Gordo! What have you done?!”“Just what you asked, boss. We dug a diversion channel so the water would drain away.”“But…but…my line. I drew you a line to follow.”“Oh, yeah, we followed your line and then we dug a little more for good measure. We wanted you to be sure to get your money’s worth.”“Are you both crazy?! Where are you trying to divert the water to? You’ve made the hole so big and so deep the only place the water will go is to the basement – if the house had a basement.”“I try so hard,” Sylvia sniffed, “and still everything I do is wrong. It’s not fair. I thought,” she mumbled through tears, “we were doing such a good job and you’d be really pleased.”“Well, it’s certainly a thorough job. I now have the biggest mudhole in Catron County.”“Well, that’s something, isn’t it?”“Yes, it’s something all right,” I said, shaking my head.I could see Gordo, who had run off at the first sign of trouble, jumping between wildflowers across the parking lot which was mercifully still intact. When he realized I was watching him, he bounded over to me and dropped something at my feet.“He wants you to pick it up,” said Sylvia. “It’s from both of us.”For the third time that day I was overcome. But this time pleasantly. “Flowers,” I said, picking them up and smelling them. “Tall blue lupines and red Indian paintbrush and those lavender things I never know the name of. It’s a lovely bouquet.”“It’s a peace offering,” said Sylvia who had stopped crying. “We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with our work. You won’t have to pay us till we’ve fixed it up.”“Thank you for the beautiful flowers,” I said as I carried the bouquet into the house. Again I sniffed them and was immediately attacked by a bout of sneezing and coughing.“Bless you,” said Sylvia and Gordo meowed.

Quemado Schools will begin on Monday, Aug. 16. Some new faces this year in high school are Donald Goodman, High School Science; Steven Myers, High School Math; Margaret Ferranti and Frannie Parker, High School Education Assistants. In the elementary grades, welcome Rebecca Hendricks, Education Assistant.

The Men's Fellowship Breakfast will be held Saturday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Cowboy Church located off Highway 32 near Quemado. All menchants in the Quemado and outlying areas are invited to come. For more information call 575 772-2568.

The Quemado Senior Center Activities for the week include a pool tournament on Tuesday, August 17 beginning at 8 a.m., bingo and quilting on Thursday.

Lunch for Monday is Rolled cheese enchiladas, Tuesday – Pizza, Wednesday – Chef Salad, Thursday - Chicken and dressing and Friday – Burger on a bun. All seniors are welcome. Call the center at 773-4820 before 9 a.m. to make your lunch reservations. On Saturday, August 21, an all you can eat Pancake breakfast from 7:30 till 11:30 a.m. Everyone is invited. You get all the bacon, eggs, pancake you can eat and a drink for $6.50.

The Western New Mexico Veterans Group will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, August 19 in the Veterans' Hall located at the corner of Baca and Church Street in Quemado. A potluck with an Italian theme begins at 6 p.m. with a meeting to follow. All veterans and their families are welcome. For more information contact Commander Rick Sharp 733-4350.

Stuart R. Jaramillo, President of Premier Wealth Group, would like to Welcome Joey Snyder as an Associate in their Albuquerque Offices.“Joey has great people skills and is excited to return to the New Mexico area and give back to the smaller communities by providing our services” Jaramillo said. Joey is the son of Pam and Clay Snyder; brother of Allyn and Nolen Snyder. Raised in Reserve, Joey was a three sport athlete in basketball, football, and track. He graduated from Reserve High School in 2006 and then attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA, playing varsity football and track for four years, and varsity basketball for one year. He graduated Grinnell College in May, 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics.In the four years he spent in Iowa, he began to grow great appreciation for the state of New Mexico. He worked hard to set up job interviews in New Mexico starting in October of 2009. After a long process, Joey found exactly what he was looking for in a career, by signing on with Premier Wealth Group, an agency of the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY.Snyder’s business goal as a Financial Representative is to develop strong relationships with his clients through his ability to successfully provide them with strategies to help them achieve wealth accumulation and financial security.“I am very excited to be working for such a great company and being able to come back home after four years in ‘cold Iowa.’ Most of all, being given the tools and training to give back to the community and state I truly care about,” Snyder said.

MAGDALENA – When a medical or veterinary emergency arises in a rural setting such as our wide open spaces of Socorro or Catron counties, knowing first aid make a big difference in the healing.There will be a workshop from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at the High Country Lodge to help people learn how herbal first aid for both animals and people. The class, sponsored by The Grizz Project, is given by Judyth Shamosh, Ph.D., a medical herbalist with over 30 years experience.“Most first aid boxes are just a lot of band aids, tapes and aspirin, but nothing really to do anything other than bandaging,” Shamosh said.She said attendees will be able to learn what to do to stabilize situations such as snake bites; shock and hemorrhaging; cuts, wounds or burns; and insect bites and stings, among others.“We emphasize that this is not a replacement for a doctor or conventional medicine,” Shamosh said. “What we’re advocating is that we can actually treat many minor emergencies with herbal remedies, especially when you live far from immediate medical or veterinary help.”Shamosh, a part time resident of Magdalena, also runs Greenfingers Herbal Medical Clinic in Phoenix, and has been treating patients with herbal remedies for many years.“I’ve used these remedies on my horses, even treating severe ulcers using herbal medicine,” she said. “A good example happened just this morning here in Magdalena. My dog had a bad dog fight. I put together some herbs in a salve I had.”She said the remedy stopped the bleeding and “the wound didn’t look so angry.”The same remedies work well on people, she said.“They can learn stuff they never thought of asking about,” Shamosh said.To register for the class contact Ann Bending at 505-681-7918, or email alawtonbending@ yahoo.com.The cost is $20 for Grizz Project members; $25 for non members.

Monday was a day of celebration (mostly for parents) and new goals being set as many of our Luna youth returned to Reserve Schools for the 2010-2011 school year. Kayli Laney is Luna’s only senior this year and there were no new kindergarten students. There is an Internet page to keep track of the school calendar and events at www.reserve.k12.nm.us

Our Luna Valley 4-H and Cloverbud members are busy preparing for the upcoming Catron County Fair August 26-28. If you are interested in donating to the buyer’s club please contact Joyce Laney before the fair.

A funeral service was held last Saturday at the Luna L.D.S. Church for Amy Hatch. Amy was the Granddaughter of Vernon Laney, Daughter of Linda Laney and niece of Joe Vernon Laney. Our love and prayers go out to her family and extended family.

Luna Volunteer Fire Department will hold officer elections for the department members to vote on a new Fire Chief at the end of the month. We would like to thank Charles Moyers for the time he has put in serving our community as Fire Chief.

A multi-state concealed weapons class will be held September 3 and 4 at the Community Center. For Registration and added Information please contact Joyce Laney by Sept. 1

Navopache Electric Coop has made a decision to remove all of our linemen from Catron County. Besides the inconvenience of losing the customer/business office in Reserve, this may affect all of us in a potentially dangerous and negative way. For more information you can contact Navopache Electric Coop or Jennifer Swenson of Reserve.

There will only be 4 more canning sessions held this year at the Luna Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They are scheduled for Thur. Sept. 2; Fri. Oct. 1 and 29 and Friday Dec. 3 2011 canning dates are to be announced. Raw honey orders are being taken now through Aug. 22. Please contact Joyce Laney for orders and more information.

If names and dates on a page aren’t enough for your efforts, prove your documented lineage and join a society to show your heritage and possibly to help your children, grandchildren and extended family members; by becoming a living part of the many events, special programs and even college scholarships that they offer.Some societies that you can join are as prominent as The Mayflower Society, Daughters of the Revolution, the New Mexico Genealogical Society and The Daughters of The Utah Pioneers; while there are others for the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the General Society of the War of 1812.A good way to find what you’re looking for is to do an Internet search for the event adding the word “descendants”. You will find a whole new world opened to you with as much information and benefits as there are reasons to join.

Quote of the week:“Let your heart make your decisions - it does not get as confused as your head.”~ Saara Lawliet